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Chapter 16
Charlie bit his lip, praying that they made it on time. It seemed as if they had been flying for hours. Looking down, he watched as they sailed over the blue ocean.
"Hermione will be okay, she has too." Harry said after a while, to no one in particular.
Charlie nodded. "She's strong, I'm sure she'll be fine."
Hemera grumbled, and Charlie wasn't sure how to take it.
Ron stayed silent the entire trip. Charlie didn't know what was going on through his head, and he didn't want to know. Most likely, it was filled with vile thoughts, of how Charlie wasn't good enough for Hermione.
Charlie growled slightly to himself. He was plenty good for Hermione. He had been there for her, when no one else was. He didn't try to awkwardly force himself upon her. She liked him for him, and their feelings developed for each other on their own, without any pressure.
He loved her, and wouldn't let her go. Not for anything in the world. Ron will either get it, or not. That's that. No discussion.
"We're here!" Hemera shouted.
Charlie looked down and saw a small island coming up on the horizon. "It's there!" He said over the wind.
Harry and Ron peered down, and looked at the small island.
"And there's elves there?" Harry said.
Charlie nodded. "Hemera said they should be able to heal Hermione."
Hemera roared, quickly coming to land in a small clearing. The island was full of forests, and once the dragon quieted, the sound of birds could be heard chirping.
The three men slide off Hemera's back, taking in all the sights and sounds.
"Hemera, where do we go?" Charlie asked, rubbing his hand on her snout.
"We wait," she replied.
Hemera shifted, gently laying Hermione onto the ground. She was covered in dry blood, and fresh blood was leaking from the wounds.
Charlie took in her battered sight and let out a small cry. She looked terrible. Everything he had imagined…. It was actually ten times worse. "We're running out of time." He said worriedly.
Hemera growled. Charlie heard a branch crack, and looked up. Three hooded figures appeared on the edge of the forest.
The approached quickly. The one in the middle was tallest, and unarmed, while the two on the side had they bows loaded with arrows, pointing at the insider.
"What business have you here?" The middle figure said.
"We need you to heal her," Charlie gestured to Hermione. Hemera growled menacingly.
The middle figure slowly raised its hands and lowered the hood. Charlie's eyes widened, amazed at what he was seeing. The man was beautiful. He had long blonde hair, which was pin straight falling to his shoulders. There was a silver crown upon his head. He stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at Charlie. "Why should we help you? We are not keen to outsiders here." His voice was harsh, yet soft at the same time.
"Because she needs you." Charlie said.
"No. No human had never seen our people before, and that's not something that will change." He said harshly.
"Look at her though! She's one of you." Charlie said, pointing at Hermione. He ears had grown pointed, and her skin fair.
The elf moved forward gracefully. He peered at Hermione, who was laying in the dirt.
"Charlie, tell Ethriel to touch her." Hemera said to Charlie.
"Touch her Ethriel!" Charlie cried out, feeling Hemera's panic.
The elf looked at him sharply. "How do you know my name mortal?"
"It doesn't matter," Harry injected, "just do it!"
Ethriel glared at them both, but approached Hermione's body. He knelt down and firmly grasped her wrist.
The moment his warm skin touched her cool one, her eyes flew open. But she wasn't awake. Charlie stared in horror as her eyes stayed open and unmoving, as if she was frozen.
Minutes later, Ethriel stood, quickly releasing her. "Astraea," he whispered. He turned to the others, "Go Loren, prepare the elders." One elf bowed, the quickly took off, disappearing into the woods. He turned to the other. "Ariana, escort the two mortals to the city."
Ethriel turned to Charlie. "You will come with me." Turning towards the dragon, he bowed. "Hemera, carry the princess."
Ethriel climbed aboard Hemera's back, motioning for Charlie to do the same. While atop the dragon, he whispered something Charlie couldn't understand. Hemera grasped Hermione in her claws and began to beat her wings.
Ethriel closed his eyes. "Let's see how fast you may fly dragon." And with that, Hemera took off, flying quickly to some secret location.
Charlie couldn't hear anything but his heart pounding in his chest. He could sense Ethriel's worry, and that feeling of dread sunk its way into Charlie's stomach. His thoughts began to wander, heading to a direction where he didn't want them to go.
Hemera slowly began her descent. They disappeared down into the woods. Charlie assumed they were near a village or some sort, but couldn't see anything. The forest was so thick, there was barely any light.
Ethriel jumped off Hemera. "Mortal, carry the princess." He commanded, striding forward. Charlie grabbed Hermione from Hemera's grip and held her in his arms. She was still, and if Charlie didn't know any better, he would have said she was dead.
"Follow me." Ethriel began to walk forward, disappearing into the forest.
Charlie turned to Hemera, who was laying down on the ground. "Go. I will give her my strength, but to do that, it weakens my own. I'll remain here. Hurry, before it's too late."
Charlie looked forward, and began to run, carrying Hermione's weightless body in his arms.